Musical Fidelity M6si Review with Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

www.upscaleaud...
We simply love Musical Fidelity amplifiers. They look great and sound even better. And we're tube-heads so that is saying something!

[@octavianotmar3693]

Legend says THIS guy invented teleshopping

[@spudpud-T67]

Lock up your kids though.

[@luvmybeemer]

I have a MF A308cr 2 channel amp for over 14 years, it STILL sounds good!

[@luvmybeemer]

Lobito if any of those amps were built in the U.K., then I would probably say they sound the same? I know MF got sold and moved their production to Taiwan or China. (Not that there is anything wrong with that) I would just say products built in U.K. would probably sound better or the same? I believe the A5 and A5.5 were built in the U.K., I’m not sure about the M5/M6si. But again, that may not mean anything.

[@craigcoughlin1834]

Still running the A300 integrated and A3 CD transport here.

[@jerryjohnson4625]

I have an M2si that I purchased through upscale. Lots of mean replys on here. I'm over 60 , played in bands , was a D J too. My ears say " This is a Bitchin Amplifier!" Feels expensive ( cause it is expensive) yeppers ! The sound is detailed and delicate and plenty of power. Tannoy xt6f & a REL t5i. Really a pretty sound coming from a great piece of equipment. Thanks Upscale Audio crew !

[@upscaleaudio]

The M2si is a monster! It's a product that always amazes--great at retail and just unbelievable at our special price.

[@im_an_alvani]

These videos are so amazing. Bought 4 KT88s a few weeks back from Upscale and love them. You guys rock.

[@godbwu]

One of the best in amps, specially with it’s big “asymmetrical symphonic system” or as he stated it’s “big ASS transformer”. Must be a new design.

[@Onz70]

Its an amazing amp. I’m using this amp with Acoustic Energy AE309’s floor standing speakers. Cost me $7000 but it’s worth it for the detail and incredible sound

[@BixLives32]

And when your wife filed for divorce?.... I have seen this happen with Hi-Fi enthusiasts who can't be bothered to LEARN real science. They would rather have the latest super-duper whatever, then buy homogenised milk or enriched sliced bread for the children.

[@b0ltus]

@@BixLives32 What is your problem dude? Let the man enjoy his stereo system!

[@davidstein9129]

I have this same amp too. Which preamplifier did you go with? I can't figure out what the difference is between the Musical Fidelity M6S PRE & The M8S PRE. Any ideas? ! Thanks

[@rxonmymind8362]

That's why old school stereos such as the Pioneer SX 1980, Marantz 2600, 2500 in Sansui G33000, G22000 are some of the best stereos due to their toroidal transformers. Also through some miracle with their auxiliary channel you can now hook up a high-powered dac with Bluetooth streaming and have wonderful music.

[@AllboroLCD]

Uncle just swapped his Rouge Pre & Parasound amp for this integrated. Gonna be juicing a pair of Revel floorstanders, I've no doubt itll do the gig well. Going on a limb and peeking inside I feel the "dual mono" is sorta/kinda a stretch considering the absence of an extra transformer.

[@krisprojection2433]

I got the Musical Fidelity M6pre and PRX amplifer. I have also had in the passed a A5 a A5.5 and had the M6i and now the separates, always love them.

[@SilverAudiophile]

Nearly the identical order I've owned MF amps- A5, the K550 supercharger, M6 500i, M8 700i monos.

[@davidstein9129]

I have this Musical Fidelity Power Amplifier. I can't figure out what the difference is between the Musical Fidelity M6S PRE & The M8S PRE. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@pharoahamunra]

if your shop ever needs a live in security guard. let me know!

[@henriksrensen5958]

Last time Kevin said that build in phono stages sucks, never buy amplifier with build im phono stage. Suddenly now it's great. Im confused

[@Linnjazzy-93]

I saw the video too lol 😂 lol 😂

[@Qcrider]

The power supply is not sufficient to deliver stable power to 4ohms low efficiency speaker, i have m6si since summer 2019 and i have new speaker since Christmas(bryston middle T) and now its not sufficient anymore , i check for m8 500s or good used power amp like bryston 14b , real dual mono is dual power supply, m6si is good for money but not phenomenal its a good amplifier for its range nothing more

[@barrypayne3976]

Just bought one of these. Brute power with musical finesse. The only big deal to me is lack of optical inputs. Otherwise, when it gets down to listening to the music, you pay more to get the extra 10% of quality sound than you do for the first 90%. I'll take the M6si with 220wpc and 90% of the perfect sound. M6si, RME PRO, KLIPSCH CORNWALL IV's. BOOM!!!

[@EdBenji]

Toroidal transformers don't cost 5 times more than standard ones!

[@swiss889]

Great review

[@1968krug]

Rotel does Toroidal amps also, notwithstanding all the other bits.. they aren’t bad for mainstream mid fi (?) gear..

[@audiophileuk1341]

I believe this guy...there's no better amp in the world better than this one.....wolly

[@borlach321]

Looks like a beast.

[@toparak]

They are built to last unlike other brands and that’s why they give only 2 years warranty...

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

I’m looking at this amp it has all the power you need I want balanced inputs to connect a external DAC I’ve looked at this Audiolab 9000a and Hagel h190 this amp seems to give you best of both worlds between 9000a and h190

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

My Sansui G-8000 Toridal transformer is huge Kevin ! And my does it have low end torque 😆 love the channel thanks Kevin , i am a reviewer also , and i'm trying to explain to people why Low-end torque matters ! 😆

[@l.k.1011]

You mention several times "compared to other brands.." No I would like to know which brands in particular you mean by that.

[@zibonek]

This amplifier has a wide soundstage and that's probably all I can praise about it. It has a very recessed midrange and in songs where many instruments play at the same time, the sounds merge and are very tiring, e.g. Queen Innuendo.

[@williammorales8204]

What we really want to know Kevin, what does Mr 420 think about it? I don't fear death, but I do fear the credit cards balances if I enter this store.

[@SathishKumar-tk4qx]

Is this fully class A , how much watts c 2 channels, what all Rear out puts & in puts it have. Does it have USB drive. Do they have more better tube valve models ? Please let me know. I need a very good tube valve Intergraded amplifier which can drive any good branded speakers. Please advise.

[@MsCorbacho]

I had this model , very good for the price and for a solid state , …problem is that i have always had tube amps , so….I didn’t got accustomed to the sound , got back to tubes ( lenen cs600 at that time) and could breathe and relax again, But,.. very good amp nonetheless Also had the old kw500 ,……wow , that was a very good amp , the bass was incredible , the highs could bite a bit ,…but with the right speakers was really good , and the build quality was amazing

[@MsCorbacho]

Leben cs600 ………….correctors ………!! :)

[@berj79]

Hi, i have read in various forums about an issue that comes later on, its a crackling sound that is related to the power supply & apparently is a design flaw in the M6si. Any M6si owners can share some thought? would be great, Thanks.

[@iankemp73]

Project Audio have bought Musical Fidelity. RIP.

[@ralex3697]

Pro-Ject Audio not very good

[@SilverAudiophile]

Anthony Michaelson- founder and owner of MF, has retired. His friend- , Heinz Lichtenegger, Pro-Ject’s CEO bought him out and decided to continue the MF with Anthony Michaelson as consultant. Great to see MF still in business. The exact same amps now made in the UK again, and prices have fallen. Fortunate outcome.

[@gerbenvandenhurk]

so, how does it sound?

[@Jo34457]

The box looks empty . Not full like marantz pm11

[@katobrly9963]

Can you compare the M6si to the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP? What would you recommend?

[@reginaldjames7975]

he doesn't reply,,,,, he's to tide up making bullshit videos

[@SilverAudiophile]

Depends whether you prefer a Valve sound or Solid state amp.

[@Furumon1]

Musical Fidelity M6 si + Focal Aria 948. Is this a good choice ? Someone who knows …..

[@kaifa76]

don't do it, your system will sound overly bright

[@Furumon1]

I didn´t do it. I bought a Hegel 160 completed with a Yamaha WXC 50. Sounds good !!! @@kaifa76

[@kaifa76]

Lobito just a bit

[@kaifa76]

@Lobito i only tested the m6

[@Furumon1]

together with Focal Aria 948.

[@fabianchavez8219]

1:02 Lol! Good review ! Beautiful product with thick guts

[@sebd6307]

What other brands do you mean to compare? I have heard Musical Fidelity a few times before, and I have no idea where all those mentioned watts go. I remember a 80 watt Denon PMA 2500NE kicking the previous musical fidelity M6. This amp looks to me like a pretty empty box with a medium toroid. After having seen a lot reviews from you, it is fair to say that you prefer toroids over normal power transformers. But you seem to forget that toroids are very sensitive to fluctuations in our electronics network. It does not matter what kind of power transformer you use, it is important how you apply these. I have heard Luxman, Accuphase, Yamaha and Denon integrated amps that sounded great, and almost non of them used toroids. I believe Japanese Engineers are perfectionist, so there must be a very good reason for them to use normal power transformers for their high end amps. So please stop banging on about a particular technology. It does not matter what you do, you just need to do it right.

[@gergelykiss1142]

Every accuphase has toroidal transformer ?! 😅 and every good amp.

[@JC.LC.]

It is not true dual mono if it doesn't have an independent transformer for each channel.

[@capwkidd]

“Wimpovision parts”! Lol

[@mrinmoylaha7260]

Sir, thanks for this nice video, can you please tell me which amp will be better between Hegel H-190 and Musical Fidelity M6si (interms of clear sound quality, good sound stage and low noise. Plz treat this as urgent. Thank you very much.

Mrinmoy Laha Hagel

[@sergioasuncion9710]

Hi, I have the same question, H190 or MF M6. Did you get a reply? I want to feed Dynaudio Evoke 50 loudspeakers. Thanks

[@markusganzherrlich]

Hey, Markus from Italy here. I'd like to know your view about matching this amp with a pair of Martin Logan 35XTi. Thanks in advance!

[@danielvandergriend9724]

do you like the m5si too? sounds like a great model

[@לביאאבוקסיס-ה5ז]

i heared the m5si and the m6si, and it was a big difrent betwin them.

[@avroman100]

@@לביאאבוקסיס-ה5ז are you recommend m6si?

[@Habibiscake]

Musical fidelity ms6i plus Atc Scm 11's? i bought the Atc's anyone heard them together? Any thoughts??

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

I have the m5si and SCM11s. They’re a good match with the right recordings, but reveal spiky 80s and 90s pop/rock albums a little beyond what you might want. If you are still in the market for the combo, be sure to try the kinds of recordings you will want to listen to. I’ve found myself listening to way more contemporary jazz and classic bossa nova just because it can sound flawless.

[@thebestoffools]

​@@UygkuyfkutfkytfkutfvI have ATC SCM7. How does the MF M5si sound at low volume with the SCM11? I was considering moving to a Hegel H190 for the high damping factor and current to moving the drivers a little better... Thanks.

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

@@thebestoffools I’m of the opinion that what I hear when my hifi volume is low is akin to what I see when the lighting is low - peaks and troughs shrink, extremities are there (I have a c1 mk2 sub) but the breathy ambience that I think my set up does really well is invisible at very low volumes - same for the detail; almost everyone I watch tv with wants it three-times as loud though, so I am far from a loud listener at the best of times; it doesn’t take much to drag you in (I also live in a block of flats). I’ve never found an amp that naturally maintains response at low volumes

[@thebestoffools]

@olivertopple Okay thank you for your reply. I've heard Hegel is good when it comes to low volume listening. I was wondering if MF would be as good but for less money.

[@1stswim]

"If you compare the metalwork on this to other competing brands, they just dont compare" Well do they compare or not? Make your mind up!

[@janulik9535]

so how big is that toroidal transformer, in m3si there is 270VA , did you know that? they do not spec, I had to add enaugh effort to find the information. for 2*80W this is far less than cambridge, naim, roxan etc. I want the soun of musical fidelity because of its neutrality, but having m3si it simply didnt have the sense of force, and I am no speaking about bass only...By my experience the truth about musical fidelite is exactly opesit of what you mention here,, Don't take me wrong, I mean really. This one is 2*220 W, this transformer is not big and it is just a fact.

[@georgemarch3933]

cant get volume ,,starts soung at over half volume,also on hed phones you cant hear anything till over half volume,,,???ever hear of that,,225 encore

[@danilog79]

Marantz sr8012 Vs Arcam Avr20 with Focal Aria speakers, anyone advise me?

[@cristiprundaru2340]

hello, can an active subwoofer be connected to this amplifier and if so, how to which plug

[@Infynyte]

An active sub can be connected to the pre out rca connectors on the M6si.

[@claptoned0]

With my Tannoy xt8f, il hesitate between Rega Elicit mk5 and this MF M6si.

[@fattnersgeekfile5478]

howwould this pr with LaScalas?

[@Phen0mable]

This amp with Dali opticon 8 ? Is it going to sound good ?

[@SilverAudiophile]

I have bought and regrettably sold a few MF amps over the years. MF amps make even mediocre speakers sound amazing. Their amps are crystal clear and give music a pop, especially for some speakers that sound a little on the softer side like the Dali. Have a look at my channel.

[@antonioinacioconceicaoreis9004]

@@SilverAudiophile is good match for dali m5si?

[@koenmanuellacockaert-goyva2792]

Is this a good amp for B&W 803D?

[@awdadwadwad1723]

Definitely not. They both are analytical and play lively, it will be too much. From same price segment a great choice would be yamaha a-s 2100.

[@SilverAudiophile]

@@awdadwadwad1723 I disagree. The B&W 803D are like most B&W speakers, a bit on the dark, distant, unemotional side. The MF amps will bring some life and ambience back to a lay back speaker.

[@kaybhee6]

wot about m2si..... wot about sound comparisons,,,,

[@SilverAudiophile]

Much less power, and musical authority. The M6si has better low frequency presentation, and overall less strain.

[@JuanLega]

He said look at the inside and the camera guy did nothing....

[@craigstephenmcdonald9915]

Musical fidelity m5si matched with monitor audio silver 3 speakers ? Recommend or other ? Cheers

[@hclandscapes]

Will this amplifier connect with a tv through an optical cable ?

[@hushpuppykl]

Harry Critchley ... it does not have an optical in. So it can’t. Only a USB B input.

[@Phen0mable]

Does it have equaliser?

[@krisprojection2433]

Phen0mable Nope it’s runs Flat

[@davepastern]

ummm if it was really dual mono, it'd have a torroidal transformer for both dual mono channels...just sayin'...

[@DynissRainer]

Apparently the two transformers are stacked - so that one visual toroid is actually two - one on top of one.

[@davepastern]

@@DynissRainer ahhh...now that makes sense.

[@riledrive2504]

And so does Rotel use a toroid and so does NAD and many other brands and they still sound like crap.

[@upscaleaudio]

Every brand is different. Rotel and NAD make nice sounding gear.

[@riledrive2504]

Upscale Audio High Fidelity - no they don’t. I have had an RMB1095, an RMB1075 and a few NADs and they all sounded like crap. Only when I upgraded to McIntosh I was able to see what a true high end amplifier is. Both Rotel and NAD use toroids and McIntosh does not. Both Rotel and NAD have hiss and hum out of the tweeter using either RCA or XLR. With the McIntosh, I can literally touch my ear to the tweeter and I simply don’t hear anything. No hiss, no hum no nothing. Huge difference in low passages, the music literally comes out of pure darkness. Both Rotel and NAD and sorry to mention it this late in my post even Bryston as well all have toroids, they simply can’t hold a candle to the Mac. From the smoothness in the sound to the liquidity in the midrange to going low in the bass to speaker control to dynamic range, McIntosh is far superior to the aforementioned brands and they all use toroids and McIntosh does not. Also, please, please put a 2ohm load on any Rotel and NAD model and crank the volume up and see what happens (obviously Bryston is a higher end product compared to Rotel and NAD and exhibits better stability). McIntosh actually guarantees you 100% 2ohm stability at maximum power, it actually doesn’t even break a sweat. It doesn’t even care what impedance the speaker is. Ultra high current design that can drive any speaker at any volume at any impedance with complete control and exemplary bass performance without a toroid that even if you turn the earth upside down will not clip and at the same time sounding very natural and smooth without any distortion? Wow go figure! To me it was never so much if the amplifier has this or that but it was always if the overall secret sauce makes it sound pleasing to my ears. And as you can see it is very much possible without a toroid. Now, I have never auditioned any Musical Fidelity products but based on Kevin’s review it looks promising. Will audition very soon. Thanks and respect the music like you always do.

[@riledrive2504]

M Pi - I am very happy with McIntosh. Auditioned primaluna, musical Fidelity and some others, didn’t like them one bit.

[@erikjohansson1488]

that amp got smoked by a cheap sabaj a20a 200$ Chinese class d amp, muddy sound in comparison, we couldn't believe it

[@vainamonensampo3230]

Service après vente Musical Fidelity déplorable...

[@matthewtodd3879]

I had MF gear and it was crap,anything goes wrong you can never get hold of them

[@pounds85]

I could list off a lot of amps and other components by a lot of other companies that use torodial transformers. It's nothing new. Salesman pitch

[@SilverAudiophile]

True, but Kevin was referring to the size of torodial and build quality of the amp- for the money.

[@hifibloke]

I had this.... 10min.... toy

[@cpg8000]

What did you replace it with?